Expandable travel trailer

ABSTRACT

The travel trailer includes a chassis having wheels and a trailer hitch for towing the travel trailer. The travel trailer further includes a trailer body attached to the chassis defined by sidewalls, a front end wall, a rear end wall, a roof, and a floor. The sidewalls, end walls, roof, and floor form an internal space of the trailer body. A slide-out area is slidably extendable outward from the trailer body. The slide-out area is extendable from a retracted position received within the trailer body to an extended position extended outward from the trailer body. The slide-out area includes a peaked roof, sidewalls, a bottom wall, and a front end wall. The front end wall includes a flange extending around the perimeter thereof. A sealing gasket is attached to the flange to face the trailer body for sealing against the trailer body in the retracted position of the slide-out area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/258,972 filed Dec. 29, 2000, entitled“Expandable Travel Trailer”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an expandable travel trailerand, more particularly, a travel trailer having slide-out areasextendable from the body of the travel trailer.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] In the recreational vehicle industry, folding camping trailersare generally characterized by a solid lower body structure, avertically extendable solid roof structure, longitudinally and/orlaterally extendable sleeping areas or dining areas, and tented sectionsextending between the lower body and roof. Folding camping trailers forman enclosed temporary living area commonly used for camping.

[0006] In the recreational vehicle industry, travel trailers aregenerally characterized by four solid full-height walls, a solid floor,and a solid roof that together define a temporary living area. Traveltrailers are also commonly used for camping. Travel trailers are knownto include expandable areas commonly referred to as “slide-outs” toexpand the usable living area once the travel trailer is parked andready for occupancy. When the travel trailer is in storage or intransit, the slide-outs are retracted into the body of the traveltrailer. Slide-outs are known to extend longitudinally and/or laterallyfrom the body of the travel trailer.

[0007] A recent evolution in the recreational vehicle industry combinesthe solid walled features of a travel trailer and the lighter weightexpandability of folding camping trailers in a single unit. These unitsare commonly referred to as hybrid travel trailers. These units have theappearance of a generic travel trailer but when set up for occupancythey feature sleeping areas that fold down from the front and rear endwalls of the trailer to create a tent enclosed sleeping area. Thiscreates additional sleeping areas that fold into the body of the trailerwhen not in use. U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,920 to Bailey et al. discloses oneembodiment of such a hybrid travel trailer.

[0008] A common structure for these fold-down sleeping areas includes asolid platform mattress deck that hinges downward from the front and/orrear end wall of the trailer. The front and rear end walls of thetrailer feature a large opening that is revealed as the mattress deck ispivoted downward. A folded tent enclosure is typically located in thisopening. The mattress deck hinges downward to a horizontal plane and isoften supported by several “prop rods” that attach to the chassis or endwall of the trailer. The folded tent enclosure is typically concealedbehind the mattress deck and is unfolded and erected over the mattressdeck to create the sleeping area. The extended sleeping areas areaccessed from the main living space of the trailer.

[0009] A known disadvantage with trailers having tent enclosed sleepingareas is that there is often water leakage in the area where the tentenclosure meets the solid end walls of the trailer body and, further,where the hinged mattress deck meets the solid end wall of the trailerbody. In addition, the beds of these trailers cannot be occupied or useduntil the trailer is fully set up with all beds extended.

[0010] In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention isto provide a travel trailer having extendable slide-out areas forincreasing the usable living space of the travel trailer. It is afurther object of the present invention to provide a travel trailer withextendable slide-out areas having improved water leakage characteristicsthrough the use of improved latching and gasketing in the traveltrailer. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to reduceor prevent the collection of dirt and debris on the roof of theextendable slide-out area. Furthermore, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a travel trailer having a slide-out area with animproved sliding mechanism for ease of use. It is another object of thepresent invention to provide a travel trailer having a slide-out areathat is usable both before the trailer is fully set up and after theslide-out area is extended.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The above objects are accomplished with a travel trailer made inaccordance with the present invention. The travel trailer includes achassis having wheels and an extended portion with a trailer hitch fortowing the travel trailer. The travel trailer further includes a trailerbody attached to the chassis and having rigid sidewalls, a rigid frontend wall, a rigid rear end wall, a rigid roof, and a floor. Thesidewalls, end walls, roof, and floor define an internal space of thetrailer body. A slide-out area is slidably extendable outward from thetrailer body. The slide-out area is extendable from a retracted positionreceived within the trailer body to an extended position extendedoutward from the trailer body.

[0012] The slide-out area preferably includes a rigid peaked roof, rigidsidewalls connected to the peaked roof, and a rigid bottom wallconnected to the sidewalls. A rigid front end wall is connected to theroof, sidewalls, and bottom wall of the slide-out area. The front endwall has a flange extending around the perimeter of the front end wall.A sealing gasket is attached to the flange to face the trailer body forsealing against the trailer body in the retracted position of theslide-out area. The sealing gasket may include a wiper seal configuredto engage the trailer body in the retracted portion of the trailer body.

[0013] The front end wall of the trailer body may define an opening forreceiving the slide-out area into the trailer body in the retractedposition. The travel trailer may further include a pair of substantiallyhorizontal guide rails attached, respectively, to internal surfaces ofthe sidewalls of the trailer body. A pair of rollers may be attached,respectively, to lateral sides of the bottom wall of the slide-out areaand may be received, respectively, in the guide rails for providingslidable movement of the slide-out area relative to the trailer body.

[0014] The travel trailer may further include a removable externalsupport for supporting the slide-out area in the extended position. Thesupport may include a support member configured for removable connectionto a bracket attached to the front end wall of the trailer body. Thesupport may further include a leg member connected to the supportmember. The leg member may be configured for connection to the extendedportion of the chassis for supporting the slide-out area in the verticaldirection when the slide-out area is in the extended position. The legmember may be pivotally connected to the support member.

[0015] An external roller may be attached to a bottom edge of the flangeof the front end wall of the slide-out area. The external roller ispreferably positioned to coact with a top surface of the support membersuch that when the slide-out area is moved between the extended andretracted positions the external roller is guided along the top surfaceof the support member.

[0016] At least one and, preferably, a pair of clamping devices may beattached to the bottom wall of the slide-out area. The clamping devicesmay include a first member fixedly attached to the bottom wall of theslide-out area and a second member rotatably connected to the firstmember. The second member may define a threaded tube having a screwpositioned therein. The screw may have an end configured to coact withthe front end wall of the trailer body and a handle for rotating thescrew within the threaded tube. The threaded connection between thescrew and the threaded tube may be configured such that rotation of thescrew in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction causes the end of thescrew to contact the front end wall of the trailer body. Thus, furtherclockwise rotation (or counterclockwise rotation) of the screw may applylongitudinally directed force to the slide-out area relative to thetrailer body for substantially eliminating vibration of the slide-outarea relative to the trailer body. The clamping devices may be furtherused to compress sealing gaskets attached to the slide-out area, thetrailer body, or both.

[0017] The pair of internal rollers and the external roller may be nylonrollers. The external roller may be housed rotatably within a protectivecover formed integrally with the front end wall of the slide-out area.

[0018] The travel trailer may further include internal structureslocated within the trailer body that are configured to fold down to aposition below the bottom wall of the slide-out area, such that theslide-out area may be moved to the retracted position received withinthe trailer body.

[0019] The travel trailer may further include a pair of latching devicesattached to lateral sides of the front end wall of the slide-out area.The latching devices may each include a vertically positioned rodconnected rotatably to the front end wall of the slide-out area andhaving a lever arm extending therefrom. A pair of cam action engagementsmay be located on the front end wall of the trailer body, and positionedand configured to cooperate with opposite ends of the rod. Rotationalmovement applied to the lever arm may rotate the rod, which transmitsthe rotational movement to the cam action engagements. The cam actionengagements may provide compressive pressure on the sealing gasket inthe retracted position of the slide-out area.

[0020] A plurality of support legs may be pivotally attached to thebottom wall of the slide-out area and configured to connect removably tothe extended portion of the chassis for supporting the slide-out area inthe extended position. The plurality of support legs may be configuredto connect removably to the front end wall of the trailer body forsupporting the slide-out area in the extended position.

[0021] The travel trailer may further include a sealing connectionbetween the slide-out area and the trailer body in the extended andretracted positions of the slide-out area. The sealing connection mayinclude a first flange plate connected to the front end wall of thetrailer body and extending around the opening in the front end wall ofthe trailer body. The first flange plate has a first sealing gasketfacing an internal facing side of the front end wall of the slide-outarea, and a second sealing gasket attached to the opposite side of thefirst flange plate. A second flange plate is attached to the roof,sidewalls, and bottom wall at a rear end of the slide-out area to forman outer perimeter of the rear end of the slide-out area. The secondsealing gasket is attached to the opposite side of first flange plate toface the second flange plate. When the slide-out area is moved to theextended position, the second flange plate engages the second sealinggasket to provide a substantially weather tight seal between theslide-out area and trailer body. When the slide-out area is moved to theretracted position, the first sealing gasket engages the internal facingside of the front end wall of the slide-out area to provide asubstantially weather tight seal between the slide-out area and trailerbody. The first and second sealing gaskets may each include wiper sealsfor wiping the surfaces of the roof, sidewalls, and bottom wall of theslide-out area as it is moved between the extended and retractedpositions.

[0022] The present invention is also a method of using an expandabletravel trailer having at least one slide-out area as generally describedhereinabove. The method may comprise the steps of: connecting thesupport member to the front end wall of the trailer body; pivoting theleg member downward and connecting the leg member to the extendedportion of the chassis; and moving the slide-out area from a retractedposition located within the trailer body to the extended positionextended outward from the trailer body, wherein as the slide-out area ismoved to the extended position the external roller is guided along thetop surface of the support member.

[0023] When the slide-out area includes at least one clamping device asdescribed hereinabove, the method may include the step of exertingoutward directed force on the slide-out area relative to the trailerbody with the clamping devices when the slide-out area is in theextended position to minimize vibration of the slide-out area relativeto the trailer body.

[0024] When the travel trailer includes a sealing connection between theslide-out area and the trailer body, the method may include the steps ofcompressing the second sealing gasket between the first and secondflange plates when the slide-out area is in the extended position toprovide a substantially weather tight seal between the slide-out areaand the trailer body; and compressing the first sealing gasket betweenthe first flange plate and the internal facing side of the front endwall of the slide-out area when the slide-out area is in the retractedposition to provide a substantially weather tight seal between theslide-out area and the trailer body.

[0025] Furthermore, the method may include the step of returning theslide-out area to the retracted position located within the trailerbody, wherein as the slide-out area is moved to the retracted positionthe external roller is guided along the top surface of the supportmember.

[0026] Further details and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, read inconjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an expandable travel trailerhaving a slide-out area in accordance with the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 2 is a perspective front end view of the travel trailer ofFIG. 1;

[0029]FIG. 3 is an internal perspective view of the slide-out area inthe travel trailer of FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 4 is an internal perspective view of the slide-out area inthe travel trailer of FIG. 1 showing the slide-out area in a partiallyretracted position;

[0031]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front end of the traveltrailer of FIG. 1 showing details of a trailer hitch area of the traveltrailer;

[0032]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a bracket attached to a front endwall of the travel trailer of FIG. 1;

[0033]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a roller attached to a front endwall of the slide-out area of FIG. 1;

[0034]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the front end wall of the traveltrailer showing the roller coacting with a removable support attached tothe trailer hitch area of the travel trailer;

[0035]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the underside of theslide-out area showing a clamping device attached to the bottom wall;

[0036]FIG. 10 is a second perspective view of the clamping device ofFIG. 9;

[0037]FIG. 11 is a side view of the clamping device of FIGS. 9 and 10detached from the travel trailer;

[0038]FIG. 12 is an end view of the clamping device of FIGS. 9 and 10detached from the travel trailer;

[0039]FIG. 13 is an internal left side perspective view of the traveltrailer of FIG. 1 showing a guide rail attached to the internal side ofthe left sidewall of the travel trailer;

[0040]FIG. 14 is an internal left side perspective view of the traveltrailer of FIG. 1 showing one embodiment of an internal roller of theslide-out area engaged in the guide rail of FIG. 13;

[0041]FIG. 15 is an internal right side perspective view of the traveltrailer of FIG. 1 showing an alternative embodiment of an internalroller of the slide-out area engaged in a guide rail attached to theinternal side of the right sidewall of the travel trailer;

[0042]FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the slide-out area of thetravel trailer of FIG. 1 shown in an extended position;

[0043]FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of the slide-out area of FIG.16;

[0044]FIG. 18 is a rear directed perspective view of the slide-out areaof FIG. 16;

[0045]FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of a right front corner of theslide-out area with the slide-out area in a substantially fullyretracted position, and showing sealing gaskets connected to theslide-out area and the travel trailer body;

[0046]FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view of the right front corner of theslide-out area of FIG. 19 with the slide-out area in a substantiallyfully extended position; and

[0047]FIG. 21 is a schematic side view of a top portion of the slide-outarea showing the sealing gaskets attached to the slide-out area and thetravel trailer body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048]FIGS. 1 and 2 generally show an expandable travel trailer 10having an extendable slide-out area 12 in accordance with the presentinvention. In FIGS. 1 and 2, only one slide-out area 12 is shown but thepresent invention envisions that a second slide-out area may beextendable longitudinally from the rear end wall of the travel trailer10, or laterally extendable from a sidewall of the travel trailer 10.The travel trailer 10 generally includes a rectangular-shaped trailerbody 14 that is attached to a conventional chassis 16 (only partiallyshown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The chassis 16 includes wheels 18 and anextended portion 20 with a trailer hitch 22 for towing the traveltrailer 10. An extendable support wheel 24 is connected to the extendedportion 20 for supporting the travel trailer 10 when it is parked.

[0049] The trailer body 14 is defined by two longitudinally extendingsidewalls 26, a front end wall 28, and a rear end wall 30. The sidewalls26 and end walls 28, 30 are connected to a floor 31 of the traveltrailer 10 in a conventional manner. The sidewalls 26, the front endwall 28, and the rear end wall 30 are all solid structures. The traveltrailer body 14 is enclosed by a hard shell roof 32 which is connectedto the sidewalls 26, the front end wall 28, and the rear end wall 30.The sidewalls 26, end walls 28, 30, floor 31, and roof 32 are preferablyprovided as solid structures (i.e., panels) having a foam core, plywoodsheets located on both sides of the foam core, and a fiberglassexterior. The roof 32 may include wood trusses that form a “peak”. Arubber membrane (not shown) may be used to seal the roof 32 as is knownin the art.

[0050] As stated previously, the travel trailer 10 of the presentinvention includes at least one slide-out area 12 or slide-out room(hereinafter referred to as “slide-out 12”). The slide-out 12 may extendlongitudinally outward from the front end wall 28 and/or rear end wall30 of the trailer body 14. Further, the slide-out 12 may be configuredto extend laterally from one or both of the sidewalls 26 of the trailerbody 14. The slide-out 12 described hereinafter extends from the frontend wall 28 of the trailer body 14.

[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the slide-out 12 is generallyrectangular-shaped and defined by two rigid sidewalls 34, a rigid bottomwall 36, a rigid front end wall 38, and a rigid roof 40. As discussedfurther hereinafter, the roof 40 is preferably “peaked”. The peaked roof40 naturally sheds rain water and debris and is inherently stronger thana flat roof structure. The sidewalls 34, bottom wall 36, front end wall38, and peaked roof 40 are preferably provided as solid structures(i.e., panels) having a foam core, plywood sheets located on both sidesof the foam core, and a fiberglass exterior.

[0052] The slide-out 12 fits within an opening 44 defined in the frontend wall 28 of the trailer body 14. The slide-out 12 is preferablyslidably connected to the sidewalls 26 of the trailer body 14 asdiscussed further hereinafter. The slide-out 12 may include windows 46in the sidewalls 34 and front end wall 38 of the slide-out 12. A windowcover 48 may be pivotally attached to the front end wall 38 of theslide-out 12 to protect the window 46 in the front end wall 38. As shownin FIG. 1, the front end wall 38 of the slide-out 12 includes anextended flange 49 extending around the perimeter of the front end wall38, and configured to cooperate with the front end wall 28 of thetrailer body 14.

[0053]FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively, show external and internalperspective views of the slide-out 12 with the slide-out 12 in a fullyextended configuration or position. FIG. 3 further shows the expandedinternal living area defined by the slide-out 12. In the extendedposition, the slide-out 12 is cantilevered outward from the front endwall 28 of the trailer body 14 and further supported by an externalsupport as described hereinafter. FIG. 4 shows a second internalperspective view of the slide-out 12 in a partially retracted or closedposition. Internal structures 50 of the travel trailer 10, such as adining table 52 and a cabinet 54, are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Theinternal structures 50 are configured to fold down to a position belowthe bottom wall 36 of the slide-out 12 so that the slide-out 12 may beretracted into the trailer body 14. In a fully retracted position, theslide-out 12 lies above the internal structures 50 located within thetrailer body 14 as shown in FIG. 4. The sidewalls 34 and peaked roof 40of the slide-out 12 are also received within the trailer body 14 asshown in FIG. 4.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 5-8, in the extended position the slide-out 12is supported by one or more external supports 56 that are detachablyconnected between the front end wall 28 of the trailer body 14 and theextended portion 20 of the chassis 16. The external support 56 includesa horizontal support member 58 that is removably attached to a bracket60 permanently affixed to the front end wall 28 of the trailer body 14.A leg member 62 is pivotally connected to the support member 58 at afirst end 64 of the leg member 62. A second end 66 of the leg member 62is removably connected to the extended portion 20 of the chassis 16. Inparticular, the leg member 62 may be removably connected to a bracket 68connected to the extended portion 20 of the chassis 16, as shown in FIG.8. Once extended to the extended position, the slide-out 12 may besupported by additional support legs 69 (i.e., pivot legs) that swingdownward from the bottom wall 36 of the slide-out 12 and connect to thefront end wall 28 of the trailer body 14 or to the extended portion 20of the chassis 16. The support legs 69 may be permanently affixed to thebottom wall 36 of the slide-out 12.

[0055] An external roller 70 is attached to the bottom of the extendedflange 49 of the front end wall 38 of the slide-out area 12. Theexternal roller 70 is preferably located to coact with the top surfaceof the support member 58 of the external support 56, which forms a guiderail for the external roller 70 to slide over when the slide-out 12 isbeing moved between its retracted and extended positions. A stop block(not shown) may be provided at the end of the support member 58 toprevent over-extension of the slide-out 12. The support member 58 andthe leg member 62 are detachable so that they may be stored duringtransportation of the travel trailer 10. The external support 56 may bestored within the trailer body 14. Multiple external supports 56 may beprovided in the travel trailer 10 of the present invention. The externalroller 70 may be carried in a protective housing 71, which is connectedto or formed as part of the front end wall 38 of the slide-out 12. Theprotective housing 71 is located at the bottom of the extended flange 49of the front end wall 38 of the slide-out 12.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 9-12, a pair of clamping devices 72 ispreferably attached to the underside of the bottom wall 36 of theslide-out 12 on each lateral side of the bottom wall 36. Only the rightside clamping device 72 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and will be discussedhereinafter. The clamping device 72 is hinged so that it may be foldedinto a generally flat configuration to allow the slide-out 12 to beretracted in the trailer body 14. The clamping device 72 is generallydefined by a first member 74 that is fixedly attached to the bottom wall36 of the slide-out 12, and a second member 75 hinged (i.e., rotatablyconnected) to the first member 74. The second member 75 carries athreaded tube 76 having a screw 77 positioned therein. The screw 77 hasa first end 78 configured to cooperate with the front end wall 28 of thetrailer body 14. The second end of the screw 77 includes a handle 79 forrotation of the screw 77 within the threaded tube 76. The threadedconnection between the screw 77 and the threaded tube 76 may beclockwise or counterclockwise. For example, clockwise rotation of thescrew 77 could cause the screw 77 to progress through the threaded tube76, and counterclockwise rotation of the screw 77 could cause the screw77 to retract into the threaded tube 76, and vice versa. Additionally,the clamping devices 72 may be oppositely configured from one another inthe travel trailer 10, with the right side clamping device 72 having aclockwise orientation and the left side clamping device 72 having acounterclockwise orientation, and vice versa.

[0057] When the slide-out 12 is in the fully extended position, thesecond members 75 of the clamping devices 72 are rotated downward andthe screw 77 is rotated clockwise. The rotation of the screw 77 causesthe screw 77 to progress within the threaded tube 76 until the first end78 of each of the screws 77 engages the front end wall 28 of the trailerbody 14. Further rotation of the screws 77 exerts a longitudinallydirected “outward” force on the slide-out 12 relative to the trailerbody 14 locking the slide-out 12 in the extended position. The force isgenerally directed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the traveltrailer 10. Further outward movement of the slide-out 12 may berestrained by the stop block (not shown) at the end of the horizontalmember 58 of the external support 56, or by abutment between a rearwardedge of the slide-out 12 and the internal side of the front end wall 28of the trailer body 14, as discussed further hereinafter. The clampingdevices 72 firmly lock the slide-out 12 in its extended position therebyreducing or eliminating vibration of the slide-out 12 relative to thetrailer body 14. This provides a more solid feel to the slide-out 12 andtrailer body 14 as a whole. The clamping devices 72 may also be used tocompress sealing gasket(s) located on the rearward edge of the slide-out12 and/or on the internal side of the front end wall 28 of the trailerbody 14 to provide a weather tight seal between the slide-out 12 and thetrailer body 14, with the slide-out 12 in the extended position asdiscussed further hereinafter.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 13-15, the slidable connection between theslide-out 12 and the trailer body 14 will now be discussed. A pair ofguide rails 80 is preferably attached, respectively, to the internalside of the sidewalls 26 of the trailer body 14. The internal sides ofthe sidewalls 26 in FIGS. 13-15 are designated with reference numerals26L and 26R for left and right internal sidewalls, respectively, of thetrailer body 14. “Left” and “right” designations are provided hereinbecause the slide-out 12 extends from the front end wall 28 of thetrailer body 14, and the internal views in FIGS. 13-15 are directedtoward the front end wall 28 of the trailer body 14. The guide rails 80are C-shaped in cross section and may be attached to the sidewalls 26L,26R by any means customary in the art.

[0059] The slide-out 12 further includes internal rollers 82 that areattached to the bottom wall 36 of the slide-out 12. In particular, theinternal rollers 82 are rotatably connected to lateral sides of thebottom wall 36 of the slide-out 12 and received, respectively, in theguide rails 80. The external roller 70 and internal rollers 82 arepreferably nylon rollers. The rectangular structure of the slide-out 12may, for example, be reinforced by frame members 84 extending around theperimeter of the bottom wall 36, and extending between the bottom wall36 and peaked roof 40. Similar frame members may reinforce the peakedroof 40. The frame members 84 described hereinabove are well known andstandard in the art. FIGS. 14 and 15 show one of the frame members 84extending laterally along a rear edge of the bottom wall 36. Theinternal rollers 82 are preferably rotatably connected to this framemember.

[0060] The internal rollers 82 received within the guide rails 80 andthe external roller 70 attached to the extended flange 49 at the frontend wall 38 of the slide-out 12 provide three points of support for theslide-out 12. The external roller 70 supports substantially all theslide-out's 12 forward weight while the internal rollers 82 supportsubstantially all the slide-out's 12 rearward weight in both theextended and retracted positions of the slide-out 12. The guide rails 80may extend substantially all the way to the front end wall 28 of thetrailer body 14 and may be closed at the end to provide a stop for theinternal rollers 82 when the slide-out 12 is moved to the extendedposition. FIG. 14 shows one arrangement for connecting the internalrollers 82 to the frame member 84 and FIG. 15 shows an alternativearrangement for connecting the internal rollers 82 to the frame member84. The arrangement shown in FIG. 14 is presently the preferred version,and the right side connection between the bottom wall 36 of theslide-out area 12 and the right internal sidewall 26R of the trailerbody 14 will be configured in a similar manner to the left side shown inFIG. 14.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 16-18, the slide-out 12 preferably includes asealing gasket (or multiple sealing gaskets) 86 extending around theperimeter of the extended flange 49 of the front end wall 38 of theslide-out 12. The sealing gasket 86 is intended to coact with the rigidfront end wall 28 of the trailer body 14 to provide a weather tight sealbetween the slide-out 12 and the trailer body 14 in the closed orretracted position of the slide-out 12.

[0062] Referring again to FIG. 3, the rear area of the slide-out 12,which defines a sleeping area in the travel trailer 10, preferablyfurther includes a flange or lip portion 88 attached to the sidewalls34, bottom wall 36, and roof 40 of the slide-out 12. This lip portion88, in the extended position of the slide-out 12, cooperates with aninternal surface or side of the front end wall 28 of the trailer body 14thereby providing a fully enclosed and substantially weather tightliving space within the travel trailer 10. A second sealing gasket (notshown) may be attached to the lip portion 88 to face the internal sideof the front end wall 28 of the trailer body 14. The sealing gasket,when present, preferably extends around the perimeter of the lip portion88 to provide a weather tight seal between the slide-out 12 and trailerbody 14 in the extended or “set-up” position of the slide-out 12. Theclamping devices 72, discussed previously, are used to compress thesealing gasket attached to the lip portion 88 to compress the sealinggasket against the internal side of the front end wall 28 of the trailerbody 14 thereby providing a weather tight seal. A further discussion ofa preferred sealing connection between the slide-out 12 and trailer body14 is provided hereinafter in connection with FIGS. 19-21.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 16-18, in order to provide propersealing characteristics, the sealing gasket 86 is preferably compressedover substantially its entire length so that water leakage into thetrailer body 14 of the travel trailer 10 is substantially prevented. Toprovide adequate compression of the sealing gasket 86, pressure must bedistributed over strategic areas of the sealing gasket 86 and,preferably, over the entire length of the sealing gasket 86. The presentinvention further provides a pair of latching devices 90 attached tolateral sides of the front end wall 38 of the slide-out 12. The latchingdevices 90 each include a vertical steel rod 92 and a lever arm 94. Thesteel rod 92 transmits the rotation action of the lever arm 94 to fourcam action engagements 96 attached to the front end wall 28 of thetrailer body 14, which in turn exerts a fixed amount of pressure to thesealing gasket 86. The respective latching devices 90 each include onevertical rod 92, one lever arm 94, and two cam action engagements 96.Thus, the use of two latching mechanisms 90 results in four strategicpoints of compression along the length of the sealing gasket 86. Thecompressive force provided by the four cam action engagements 96compresses the sealing gasket 86 at two points along the top edge of theextended flange 49, and at two points along the bottom edge of theextended flange 49. The lever arms 94 are preferably positioned suchthat an operator standing on the ground can easily operate the leverarms 94.

[0064] With reference to all the figures, operation of the slide-out 12will now be discussed. With the slide-out 12 in the retracted positionas shown, for example, in FIG. 2, the operator of the travel trailer 10preferably first connects the support member 58 to the bracket 60attached to the front end wall 28 of the trailer body 14. The leg member62 is then rotated downward from the support member 58 and connected tothe extended portion 20 of the chassis 16. The latching devices 90located on lateral sides of the front end wall 38 of the slide-out 12are unlatched releasing the compressive pressure on the sealing gasket86. Upon unlatching the latching devices 90, the slide-out 12 may beextended from the retracted position to the extended or set-up positionas shown, for example, in FIG. 1. The slide-out 12 smoothly moves fromthe retracted position to the extended position through the rotation ofthe two internal rollers 82 and the external roller 70. The externalroller 70 is guided along the top surface of the support member 58. Thetwo internal rollers 82 are guided by the guide rails 80 attached to theinternal surfaces of the sidewalls 26 of the trailer body 14. Onceextended to the extended position, the slide-out 12 may be supported bythe additional support legs 69 (i.e., pivot legs) that swing downwardfrom the bottom wall 36 of the slide-out 12 and connect to the front endwall 28 of the trailer body 14 or to the extended portion 20 of thechassis 16. The support legs 69 may be permanently affixed to the bottomwall 36 of the slide-out 12.

[0065] The second member 75 of each of the clamping devices 72 attachedto the bottom wall 36 of the slide-out 12 is rotated to a vertical“set-up” position and the screw 77 is rotated until the first end 78 ofthe screw 77 contacts the front end wall 28 of the trailer body 14.Further rotation of the screw 77 causes “outward” longitudinal forces toact on the slide-out 12 locking the slide-out 12 in the extendedposition. The clamping devices 72 lock the slide-out 12 in place toeliminate vibration of the slide-out 12 relative to the trailer body 14.The clamping devices 72 also provide the outward pressure necessary tocompress the sealing gasket, which may be extended around the perimeterof the internal lip portion 88 of the slide-out 12 or, alternatively, onthe internal side of the front end wall 28 of the trailer body 14.Preferably, this sealing gasket extends around the opening 44 in thefront end wall 28, and is sufficiently compressed by the clampingdevices 72 to provide a water tight seal between the slide-out 12 andtrailer body 14 in the extended position of the slide-out 12. The traveltrailer 10 with a now enhanced living area is ready for use. Theabove-described process is generally followed in reverse to place theslide-out 12 in the retracted or closed position.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 19-21, a preferred sealing connection betweenthe slide-out 12 and the trailer body 14 in accordance with the presentinvention is shown schematically. The trailer body 14 preferablyincludes a first flange plate 100 connected to the front end wall 28 ofthe trailer body 14. The first flange plate 100 preferably extends intothe opening 44 in the front end wall 28 of the trailer body 14, andextends around the perimeter of the opening 44. A first sealing gasket102 is affixed to the flange plate 100 to face an internal facing side104 of the front end wall 38 of the slide-out 12 and, more particularly,the extended flange 49 around the front end wall 38 of the slide-out 12.A second sealing gasket 106 is affixed to the first flange plate 100 toface the opposite direction from the first sealing gasket 102. The firstsealing gasket 102 preferably includes a wiper seal 108. The firstsealing gasket 102 and wiper seal 108 preferably extend around theperimeter of the flange plate 100 and, hence, the opening 44.

[0067] The first sealing gasket 102 seals against the internal side 104of the flange 49 of the front end wall 38 of the slide-out 12 in theretracted position of the slide-out 12. The sealing gasket 86 sealsagainst the front end wall 28 of the trailer body 14 in the retractedposition of the slide-out 12, as discussed previously. The latchingdevices 90 attached to the slide-out 12 are preferably used to compressthe sealing gasket 86 and the first sealing gasket 102 to ensure aweather tight and substantially moisture proof seal between theslide-out 12 and the trailer body 14 in the retracted position of theslide-out 12. Thus, two sealing barriers are provided in the retractedand “locked” position of the slide-out 12 in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0068] The wiper seal 108 connected to the first sealing gasket is usedto wipe the surfaces of the sidewalls 34, bottom wall 36, and roof 40 ofthe slide-out 12 as it is moved between the retracted and extendedpositions. The wiper seal 108 also provides a second barrier against theweather and water leakage into the trailer body 14 in both the extendedand retracted positions of the slide-out 12. The wiper seal 108 may alsobe partially compressed by the latching devices 90 in the retracted and“locked” position of the slide-out 12. The sealing gasket 86 may also beprovided with a wiper seal 107 as an added barrier against waterintrusion into the trailer body 14.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 21, the second sealing gasket 106 substantiallyfaces the lip portion 88 (i.e., a second flange plate) at the rear endof the slide-out 12. The second sealing gasket 106 includes a wiper seal110 similar to the first sealing gasket 102 and wiper seal 108. Thesecond sealing gasket 106 seals against the lip portion 88, or secondflange plate, in the extended position of the slide-out 12. The wiperseal 110 serves the same purposes discussed previously in connectionwith the wiper seal 108 connected to the first sealing gasket 102. Thesecond sealing gasket 106 is preferably compressed by the longitudinallydirected forces generated by the clamping devices 72 discussedpreviously. As discussed previously, in the extended position of theslide-out 12, the clamping devices 72 are used to “lock” the slide-out12 in its fully extended position. The clamping devices 72, inoperation, generate longitudinally directed forces, which are furtherused to compress the second sealing gasket 106. The compression of thesecond sealing gasket 106 thus provides a weather tight andsubstantially water tight seal between the slide-out 12 and the trailerbody 14 in the extended position of the slide-out 12. The wiper seal 110further provides a second barrier against moisture intrusion into thetrailer body 14 in both the retracted and extended position of theslide-out 12 in a similar manner to the wiper seal 108.

[0070] The above-described sealing connection between the slide-out 12and trailer body 14 is further used to limit the outward and inwardmovement of the slide-out 12 relative to the trailer body 14. The lipportion 88, or second flange plate, prevents over extension of theslide-out 12, while the flange 49 prevents over retraction of theslide-out 12. Accordingly, the stop block (not shown) attached to theexternal support 56 may be dispensed with entirely with the foregoingsealing connection between the slide-out 12 and trailer body 14. Thesurfaces adjacent the first and second sealing gaskets 102, 106 and thesealing gasket 86 are preferably “troughed” or “channeled” to drainwater away from the respective sealing gaskets and transport the wateroutside the trailer body 14.

[0071] The present invention provides an expandable travel trailer thatsignificantly enhances the usable living space within the traveltrailer. In addition, the travel trailer of the present invention hasimproved water leakage characteristics over the prior art by providingimproved latching devices, which provide four points of strategiccompression against one or more sealing gaskets. Further, the traveltrailer of the present invention provides a slide-out area with a peakedroof that reduces or eliminates the collection of dirt and debris on theroof of the slide-out. Furthermore, the present invention provides atravel trailer having a slide-out area with an improved slidingmechanism for ease of use. Finally, the travel trailer of the presentinvention provides a three-point slidable connection between theslide-out and the trailer body, which enhances the stability of theslide-out and reduces vibration of the slide-out relative to the trailerbody.

[0072] Unlike prior art arrangements, the slide-out area/bed of thepresent invention can be utilized when the bed is retracted inside thetrailer, and not just when the trailer is fully extended. This permitsthe trailer to be used before it is fully set up, such as during transitand with the trailer still attached to the towing vehicle and with thebed already made up with sheets and blankets.

[0073] Although the present invention was described with reference to apreferred embodiment, obvious modifications and alterations of theinvention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A travel trailer, comprising: a chassis havingwheels and an extended portion with a trailer hitch for towing thetravel trailer; a trailer body attached to the chassis and having rigidsidewalls, a rigid front end wall, a rigid rear end wall, a rigid roof,and a floor, with the sidewalls, end walls, roof, and floor defining aninternal space of the trailer body; and at least one slide-out areaextendable outward from the trailer body, with the slide-out areaextendable from a retracted position received within the trailer body toan extended position extended outward from the trailer body, and withthe slide-out area further comprising: a rigid peaked roof; rigidsidewalls connected to the roof; a rigid bottom wall connected to thesidewalls; and a rigid front end wall connected to the roof, sidewalls,and bottom wall, with the front end wall having a flange extendingaround the perimeter of the front end wall, and with a sealing gasketattached to the flange to face the trailer body for sealing against thetrailer body in the retracted position of the slide-out area.
 2. Thetravel trailer of claim 1, wherein the front end wall of the trailerbody defines an opening for receiving the slide-out area into thetrailer body in the retracted position, and wherein the travel trailerfurther comprises: a pair of substantially horizontal guide railsattached, respectively, to internal surfaces of the sidewalls of thetrailer body; and a pair of rollers attached, respectively, to lateralsides of the bottom wall of the slide-out area and received,respectively, in the guide rails for providing slidable movement of theslide-out area relative to the trailer body.
 3. The travel trailer ofclaim 2, further comprising a removable external support for supportingthe slide-out area in the extended position, the support comprising: asupport member configured for removable connection to a bracket attachedto the front end wall of the trailer body; and a leg member connected tothe support member, with the leg member configured for connection to theextended portion of the chassis for supporting the slide-out area in thevertical direction when the slide-out area is in the extended position.4. The travel trailer of claim 3, wherein the leg member is pivotallyconnected to the support member.
 5. The travel trailer of claim 3,further comprising an external roller attached to a bottom edge of theflange of the front end wall of the slide-out area, with the externalroller positioned to coact with a top surface of the support member suchthat when the slide-out area is moved between the extended and retractedpositions the external roller is guided along the top surface of thesupport member.
 6. The travel trailer of claim 5, further comprising: atleast one clamping device attached to the bottom wall of the slide-outarea, with the clamping device comprising a first member fixedlyattached to the bottom wall and a second member rotatably connected tothe first member, with the second member defining a threaded tube havinga screw positioned therein, with the screw having an end configured tocoact with the front end wall of the trailer body and a handle forrotating the screw within the tube, wherein rotation of the screw in aclockwise direction extends the screw such that the end of the screwcontacts the front end wall of the trailer body, and wherein furtherclockwise rotation of the screw applies longitudinally directed force tothe slide-out area relative to the trailer body for substantiallyeliminating vibration of the slide-out area relative to the trailerbody.
 7. The travel trailer of claim 5, wherein the pair of rollers andexternal roller are nylon rollers.
 8. The travel trailer of claim 5,wherein the external roller is housed rotatably within a protectivecover formed integrally with the front end wall of the slide-out area.9. The travel trailer of claim 1, further comprising internal structureslocated within the trailer body configured to fold down to a positionbelow the bottom wall of the slide-out area such that the slide-out areamay moved to the retracted position received within the trailer body.10. The travel trailer of claim 1, further comprising a pair of latchingdevices attached to lateral sides of the front end wall of the slide-outarea, with the latching devices each comprising: a vertically positionedrod connected rotatably to the front end wall of the slide-out area andhaving a lever arm extending therefrom; and a pair of cam actionengagements located on the front end wall of the trailer body andpositioned and configured to cooperate with opposite ends of the rod,wherein rotational movement applied to the lever arm rotates the rodwhich transmits the rotational movement to the cam action engagements,and wherein the cam action engagements exert compressive pressure on thesealing gasket in the retracted position of the slide-out area.
 11. Thetravel trailer of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of supportlegs pivotally attached to the bottom wall of the slide-out area andconfigured to connect removably to the extended portion of the chassisfor supporting the slide-out area in the extended position.
 12. Thetravel trailer of claim 1, wherein the front end wall of the trailerbody defines an opening for receiving the slide-out area into thetrailer body, and further comprising a sealing connection between theslide-out area and the trailer body in the extended and retractedpositions of the slide-out area, with the sealing connection comprising:a first flange plate connected to the front end wall of the trailer bodyand extending around the opening in the front end wall of the trailerbody, with the first flange plate having a first sealing gasket facingan internal facing side of the front end wall of the slide-out area anda second sealing gasket attached to the opposite side of the firstflange plate; and a second flange plate attached to the roof, sidewalls,and bottom wall at a rear end of the slide-out area to form an outerperimeter of the rear end of the slide-out area, wherein the secondsealing gasket is attached to the opposite side of the first flangeplate to face the second flange plate, wherein when the slide-out areais in the extended position the second flange plate engages the secondsealing gasket to provide a substantially weather tight seal between theslide-out area and trailer body, and wherein when the slide-out area isin the retracted position the first sealing gasket engages the internalfacing side of the front end wall of the slide-out area to provide asubstantially weather tight seal between the slide-out area and trailerbody.
 13. The travel trailer of claim 12, wherein the first and secondsealing gaskets each include wiper seals for wiping the surfaces of theroof, sidewalls, and bottom wall of the slide-out area as the slide-outarea is moved between the extended and retracted positions.
 14. Thetravel trailer of claim 1, wherein the sealing gasket includes a wiperseal configured to engage the trailer body in the retracted position ofthe slide-out area.
 15. A method of using an expandable travel trailerhaving at least one slide-out area, with the travel trailer comprising:a chassis having wheels and an extended portion with a trailer hitch fortowing the travel trailer; a trailer body having rigid sidewalls, arigid front end wall, a rigid rear end wall, a rigid roof, and a floor,with the sidewalls, end walls, roof, and floor defining an internalspace of the trailer body; at least one slide-out area extendableoutward from the internal space of the trailer body, with the slide-outhaving a roof, sidewalls, bottom wall, and a front end wall, with thefront end wall having a flange extending around a perimeter thereof, andwith an external roller attached to a bottom edge of the flange; and aremovable external support for supporting the slide-out area in anextended position, with the support comprising: a support memberconfigured for removable connection to the front end wall of the trailerbody; and a leg member pivotally connected to the support member andconfigured for connection to the extended portion of the chassis,wherein the external roller is positioned to coact with a top surface ofthe support member, the method comprising the steps of: connecting thesupport member to the front end wall of the trailer body; pivoting theleg member downward and connecting the leg member to the extendedportion of the chassis; and moving the slide-out area from a retractedposition located within the trailer body to the extended positionextended outward from the trailer body, wherein as the slide-out ismoved to the extended position the external roller is guided along thetop surface of the support member.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinthe slide-out further includes at least one clamping device attached tothe bottom wall of the slide-out area, and the method further comprisesthe step of exerting outward directed force on the slide-out arearelative to the trailer body with the clamping device when the slide-outarea is in the extended position to minimize vibration of the slide-outarea relative to the trailer body.
 17. The method of claim 15, whereinthe front end wall of the trailer body defines an opening for receivingthe slide-out area into the trailer body, and wherein the travel trailerfurther comprises a sealing connection between the slide-out area andthe trailer body, with the sealing connection comprising: a first flangeplate connected to the front end wall of the trailer body and extendingaround the opening in the front end wall of the trailer body, with thefirst flange plate having a first sealing gasket facing an internalfacing side of the front end wall of the slide-out area and a secondsealing gasket attached to the opposite side of the first flange plate;and a second flange plate attached to the roof, sidewalls, and bottomwall at a rear end of the slide-out area to form an outer perimeter ofthe rear end of the slide-out area, the method further comprising thestep of compressing the second sealing gasket between the first andsecond flange plates when the slide-out area is in the extended positionto provide a substantially weather tight seal between the slide-out areaand the trailer body.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising thestep of compressing the first sealing gasket between the first flangeplate and the internal facing side of the front end wall of theslide-out area when the slide-out area is in the retracted position toprovide a substantially weather tight seal between the slide-out areaand the trailer body.
 19. A travel trailer, comprising: a chassis havingwheels and an extended portion with a trailer hitch for towing thetravel trailer; a trailer body attached to the chassis and having rigidsidewalls, a rigid front end wall, a rigid rear end wall, a rigid roof,and a floor, with the sidewalls, end walls, roof, and floor defining aninternal space of the trailer body; at least one slide-out areaextendable outward from the trailer body, with the slide-out areaextendable from a retracted position received within the trailer body toan extended position extended outward from the trailer body, with thefront end wall of the trailer body defining an opening for receiving theslide-out area into the trailer body in the retracted position, and withthe slide-out area further comprising: a rigid roof; rigid sidewallsconnected to the roof; a rigid bottom wall connected to the sidewalls;and a rigid front end wall connected to the roof, sidewalls, and bottomwall; a pair of substantially horizontal guide rails attached,respectively, to internal surfaces of the sidewalls of the trailer body;and a pair of rollers attached, respectively, to lateral sides of thebottom wall of the slide-out area and received, respectively, in theguide rails for providing slidable movement of the slide-out arearelative to the trailer body.
 20. The travel trailer of claim 19,further comprising a removable external support for supporting theslide-out area in the extended position, the support comprising: asupport member configured for removable connection to a bracket attachedto the front end wall of the trailer body; a leg member connected to thesupport member, with the leg member configured for connection to theextended portion of the chassis for supporting the slide-out area in thevertical direction when the slide-out area is in the extended position;and an external roller attached to a bottom edge of the front end wallof the slide-out area, with the external roller positioned to coact witha top surface of the support member such that when the slide-out area ismoved between the extended and retracted positions the external rolleris guided along the top surface of the support member.